C4 documentary commissioned on Merseyside chef

Unconventional chef, Gary Usher, is set to hit the small screen this Autumn.

C4 has invited its audience to meet Gary Usher, “Britain’s most honest and controversial chef”, as he spends a year breaking the rules of the restaurant world.

An hour-long insight into his mission to bring exceptional food to the masses will follow Gary on a journey to Prescot, Merseyside, a town that hasn’t had a new restaurant for more than 30 years.

In the documentary, viewers will witness his quest to open a new restaurant in one of Merseyside’s most neglected town centres and bring bistro food to the people of Prescot, purely because his gut says everyone loves good food and he’s adamant he can build a thriving business.

C4 says: “Sticking two fingers up at the banks, the restaurant chains and big businesses that ignore Britain’s small towns, Gary needs to crowdfund £50,000 to build a French style bistro out of the rubble of an old BetFred and convince a town of sceptical locals to fall in love with deep fried pig head croquettes and steak tartar.”

The TV channel describes Usher’s style as “cooking for a new generation. Amazing food for anyone and everyone – no frills attached. This is the Rebel Chef, Gary Usher.”

Usher founded the award-winning Elite Bistros group back in 2011, starting with a restaurant set in a row of terrace houses in the small suburb of Hoole on the outskirts of Chester.

Since then, he has gone on to open five more award-winning restaurants throughout the North West.

With support from the huge following he has gained over the years, Gary has managed to raise almost £500,000 through crowdfunding, with his latest efforts seeing him raise a record breaking £100,000 in less than one hour.

After leaving school at 16, Gary worked in a series of pubs and top restaurants before opening his flagship restaurant, Sticky Walnut.

“He turned his life around with a mission to bring exceptional food, that doesn’t cost the earth to everyone”, says the C4 promo.